Troponin T measurement after myocardial infarction can identify left ventricular ejection of less than 40

Aim—To determine whether measurement of serum troponin T concentration after first acute myocardial infarction can be used to identify patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 2.8 µg/l predicted a left ventricular ejection fraction of < 40% with a sensitivity of 100% (CI 84.6 to 100.0) and specificity of 92.9% (CI 76.5 to 99.1). Exclusion of patients who did not receive thrombolytic treatment did not significantly aVect the results. Conclusion—Serum troponin T concentration measured 12‐48 hours after admission for first myocardial infarction is a reliable, simple, quick, inexpensive, noninvasive method for identifying patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction of < 40% for whom there is a poor prognosis. (Heart 1998;80:223‐225)